New Street Should Alleviate Traffic Headaches
After seven months, the extended Enterprise Way is finally open. It provides an alternate route through the Rancho Coachella business park.
“It should really help with emergency services to get the fire trucks through here,” said Lorie Williams, director of the city’s Economic Development Office.
The street extension cost $2.4 million to build. It measures just under a mile, stretching from Industrial way to Avenue 54. It opens up to nearly 200 untouched acres.
But now, the city is feeling the pressure to create 800 new jobs — as promised — within the next decade. It was part of the deal the U.S. Economic Development Agency required before lending more than a $1 million to the project.
“We’re working with some green energy companies. We’re talking with a bakery,” said Williams. “So, we’re trying to attract those two to come to the area. We don’t have a firm prospect that we can announce.”
Councilman Jesse Villarreal has big visions for the business park. “I want to see 3M here,” he told the crowd at Tuesday’s grand opening. “3M is one of the most reputable businesses in the world.”
Mayor Eduardo Garcia is confident the 800 new jobs will surface. After all, he says, Coachella is one of the fastest growing cities in the state.
“The city grew by 4% during one of the most economic downturns,” he said. “So, within the next decade or so, I truly believe we will have exceeded the 800-plus jobs within this industrial park.”
